The Damn Family Is Back Again

330. Loner (13)

Carsein quickly carried Harnie out of Rusmire.

“Mother.”

“Yes. Camilla.”

The two women, who had been watching, ran in the opposite direction of Karsein.

At the place they arrived, soldiers were already eager to storm into Rusmire.

Seeing Tasha and Camilla, they shouted angrily.

“Hey! Open this door!”

“There he comes. The acting lord.”

“Even if he’s the acting lord, why is he interfering with this?”

“They said Karsein might be hiding here. Why are you blocking the search?”

The soldiers had been knocking on that door for a long time.

They couldn’t break it down because it was the land of the duchy, but if it were another territory, they might have already forced their way in.

The two had to buy time now.

So that the pursuers couldn’t chase Karsein.

So that those who were after the bounty couldn’t follow.

So that the forces that might want his head couldn’t reach out.

They had to completely block the path called Rusmire from here. Even if it was a path he had once opened.

“Calm down. We told you we are searching inside.”

“Rusmire is quite large. We asked the residents and ordered a search, but it takes time.”

“So when exactly will it end?”

“It’s been hours since you said Karsein was here. Does it make sense that there’s no result after waiting so long?”

“What if he escapes while we’re doing this?”

They could handle those who only shouted like this.

But the two of them alone were endlessly insufficient.

The reason was…

“The acting lord is very suspicious. It looks like he’s hiding the person directly wanted by the Bagrand duchy.”

“That’s not all. Even if the duchy temporarily handed over the right to govern this territory, you’re just a commoner. A commoner without the name of a fallen family, aren’t you?”

“How dare such a person control and block the path of a noble?”

It was because of their status.

If they were the mother and daughter of the Deol family, who once had noble status, they could command and control the residents of Rusmire as the sovereigns of the territory, but now they were just commoners who had once been maids and head maids of the duchy.

In other words, it was impossible to control Rusmire in the current situation.

“Even Lady Claire is conducting inspections. Do you mean to ignore even that?”

“That’s its own matter.”

“If you are protecting the fugitive, this inspection is meaningless. This means we have something to say to Princess Claire as well.”

A knight from a noble family among the pursuers drew his weapon.

“For us, the warrant from the Duke of Bagrand takes precedence over your control. Dismantle the gate. Everyone, take up your tools.”

Those around them, cheering “Yes! That’s right!” stepped aside, and with this momentum, those who had drawn their weapons aimed at Rusmire.

“We will take separate punishment for doubting Princess Claire’s inspection. However, we will also report to the Duke of Bagrand that you let the fugitive escape.”

Everyone drew their weapons.

The path called Rusmire was on the verge of being breached.

The pursuers, who had not gone far, were just one step away from catching Karsein.

But they could not chase Karsein.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

-Clang! Clang!

“Whoa!”

“Captain! Behind you!”

“Who is it!”

“Stop the ruffians trying to enter our land!”

“Huh…! Are you people of Rusmire?”

“Yes!”

“Who are you to tread on our land?”

Yes. This place cannot be controlled by just the two of us.

The mother and daughter had realized this early on.

Even so, there was a reason why controlling Rusmire was possible and why they said they would buy time for the young master to escape.

“If you want to pass through here, why don’t you deal with us first!”

“Before this is the Duke’s land, it’s our hometown!”

The soldiers, flustered, stepped back.

“These, these b*stards…!”

“We have to catch the fugitive. Move aside quickly!”

“The ones who didn’t even look at us when we asked for help, now want to tread on our land, how nice that must seem!”

“What if our territory gets ravaged because of this?!”

“We’ve already suffered enough! How long have they been trying to take Rusmire, and you think we’ll just give it up?!”

The residents of Rusmire blocked the path.

The soldiers retorted with expressions of utter disbelief.

“What ancient story are you bringing up now?”

“Are you saying we’re occupying this place?”

“Hmph. We might as well be.”

“We could be here to extract important information from Rusmire!”

“Huh, these guys with their ridiculous excuses…!”

In truth, it was indeed an excuse.

As long as Rusmire was under the protection of the Duke’s family, they couldn’t act recklessly.

The reason why those trying to break down the door didn’t lay a hand on the residents was precisely because it was the Duke’s land, and it was clear that comparing it to the isolated Rusmire of the past was out of the question.

The opponents were nobles. If they decided to harm them, there would be no way to resist.

Whether they used money to receive a sentence, crushed them with their status, or simply overpowered them with brute force, it was all a significant threat to them.

It was to the extent that their lives could be in danger.

Nevertheless, the residents of Rusmire did not back down.

That was why Tasha and Camilla were confident they could buy time here.

This was an act of repaying a favor.

-Lady Tasha. The young master is already hiding in Rusmire, isn’t he?

-…

-You don’t have to say anything. Everyone knows. We are all keeping this a secret and have no intention of revealing it.

A single person’s accumulated good deeds.

-So, please. Grant us permission.

-Permission for what?

A sacred act of loyalty and endless trust.

-If those who seek to chase Lord Carsein come, please allow us to step forward.

It was a resolution towards the man who had become a ray of light for Rusmire.

“Let’s go!”

“Ugh?! These, these guys…!”

The residents took up arms and pushed back the pursuers.

It seemed clear that they would soon be subdued by force, but they did not fear the pain and charged forward, burning with determination.

The mother and daughter watched the spectacle in silence.

‘Do you see this, young master?’

‘This is the tower that the young master has built.’

He was not a loner.

Never.

*

‘…What on earth is going on?’

Belian’s right-hand man, Arxius, began to panic.

The situation that Belian had anticipated was not unfolding this way at all.

‘How is it that an entire territory is helping him?’

The rumors about Carsein were deeply rooted in distrust within the Kingdom of Wederos, and he was supposed to remain thoroughly isolated and alone.

Although Harnie was helping him, it was expected not to last long.

However, the discrepancy was too great.

If it were just Harnie, it would be understandable, but this was not the case.

The residents charged as if they had gone mad.

People continuously emerged from the territory to block the soldiers.

Even when injured, beaten, and bruised, they stood up again.

Is this madness? Or something else?

Something unfathomable had taken root here.

‘This can’t go on.’

Carsein must be staying here.

So, time must not be wasted here.

-Thunk!

“Ugh…!”

“W-wait. You…!”

“A resident of the Duke’s territory. If we handle them too roughly, we…!”

“What are you talking about? This is practically a rebellion!”

They must be subdued by force.

We have to incapacitate them and move on.

The backlash from laying hands on the residents of the Bagrand Duchy?

That’s not the issue.

Judging by the reaction, Carsein has not yet escaped.

Until recently, they had been staying here, but they couldn’t have gone far due to the sudden onslaught.

Akshus, on the contrary, actively appealed to them.

“He is a man who dreamed of treason against the Empire. Yet, he committed the act of protecting those who should be struck down by the hammer of justice within the Peselos Empire. If this isn’t rebellion, what is?”

“Yes. This is simply a rebellion against the Empire.”

“Chasing those who threaten the Empire…!”

“How can those who shield criminals be treated as fellow citizens of the Empire!”

Anyway, most of those here belong to noble families.

Even if not, there are mercenaries moving under the orders of nobles, and contractors are also secretly hired.

It was clear that they would agree on the need to suppress this as quickly as possible.

“Ugh!”

“Aah!”

The residents are rapidly being subdued.

The residents, who were burning with determination, are falling one by one.

“Block the door! We must not let them in!”

“Ugh! Too much strength…!”

“Hold on! We must hold on!”

But the path opens.

The final wall of people set up by Rusmire collapses.

Tasha, the lord’s deputy, and her daughter Camilla, who were blocking the door inside the estate, fall and sit helplessly on the ground.

It was obvious that they were the ringleaders. Akshus directly mentioned them.

“It seems these women gathered the residents and planned this.”

“Hmm.”

Listening to Akshus, a knight who appeared to be the commander stepped forward and asked.

“The price for shielding a criminal is not small. If we report this to the duchy, they will undoubtedly impose a tremendous punishment. If you want to save your lives, quickly tell us where Karsein has gone.”

“…”

Akshus had already heard information about the mother and daughter from Theo Ramstear and Emma Urnen.

Camilla, who tried to save her mother, and Tasha, who struggled to survive by drinking the decoction. If they were willing to abandon their status and be treated as fallen nobles to protect the honor of the nobility, it was clear that both valued their lives.

Therefore, he was sure they would speak up here.

“If you are going to kill us, then do so.”

“This life, it was a life that was already severed anyway.”

“…You wretches.”

Nevertheless, the mother and daughter did not falter.

Isn’t it an absurdly shameless face?

No, that’s not enough, they even have a faint smile. Laughing in a situation where their heads might be cut off… Could it be…

“Damn it! Search Rusmire immediately! If there’s even a trace of an ant passing by, report it!”

Only then does Akshus realize he has been tricked.

The mother and daughter had already achieved their goal.

*

-Ding!

▶The chase event is in progress.◀

▶If caught by the soldiers, the chase event will end, and you will go straight to a bad ending.◀

▶Displaying chase information.◀

[ Chase Speed: 20% ]

[ Chase Radius: 120% ]

▶Estimated time until the end of the chase event◀

[ 1 minute 25 seconds ]

The chase speed is slow, and the radius is wide.

Thanks to that, it seems it will take some time to get caught.

…It means Tasha and Camilla are somehow buying time.

‘Damn it. I managed to escape, but this is…’

Moreover, to clear this bizarre episode… it was beyond my ability.

▶Episode XLIV. The Five Treasures is in progress.◀

▶Collect the five treasures existing in the empire to create a dimensional portal.◀

▶If you clear this episode, the player can return to reality.◀

Although the status window clearly shows what the five treasures are and where they exist, I cannot go there now.

▶Warning! You cannot pass through this field due to Kelvia allergy!◀

[ Level 5 Field ]

Even if I activate the Eye of Wederos skill and look around, there was nothing but places covered with Kelvia fruits.

In the meantime.

Harini briefly held my hand.

“Karsein. Just a moment.”

-Ihihing.

“What is it?”

“Over there, how does it look?”

“Over there?”

The place where the finger pointed was relatively lighter in color.

It meant that it was a place where the power of the Kelvia fruit was less potent, so it could be passed through.

But.

‘This is… Shatren territory.’

It’s too obvious a place to hide.

As much as Karsein once ruled it, Shatren is a place that is very likely to be targeted, just like Rusmire.

Just by looking at it, this has to be a trap.

Moreover, it’s obvious that there will be a checkpoint waiting this time as well.

In Rusmire, we were lucky to hide in the carriage, but now, there’s no way we can enter Shatren openly.

While I was contemplating.

-Thud!

A dull thud sounded from somewhere.

“Young master!”

“This way!”

What is this situation?

The residents knocked out the soldiers at the checkpoint with blunt weapons?

A guard ran out from among them.

“Lord. It’s Dyke! We’ve pushed out all the checkpoint guards. Shatren is completely isolated from the outside, just like when the prohibition order was issued!”

“Karsein!”

Harnie urged me as well.

“Go. There was someone who hid you in Rusmire too, wasn’t there?”

“…”

There’s no law that says you have to die.

…It seemed great luck was on our side.